CVE-2021-29809 in Jazz for Service Management
Summary
by MITRE • 09/20/2021
IBM Jazz for Service Management and IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus_GUI 8.1.0 is vulnerable to stored cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI thus altering the intended functionality potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. IBM X-Force ID: 204270.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-29809 affects IBM Jazz for Service Management and IBM Tivoli Netcool/OMNIbus_GUI version 8.1.0, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the security integrity of web-based interfaces. This vulnerability resides within the web user interface components of these enterprise monitoring and service management platforms, which are widely deployed in enterprise environments for network monitoring and incident management. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject persistent JavaScript code into the application's web interface, creating a persistent threat that can affect all users who interact with the compromised system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's user interface components. When users submit data through web forms or interface elements, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode user-supplied content before storing and rendering it within the web page context. This allows attackers to embed malicious JavaScript payloads that persist in the application's database or storage mechanisms, executing automatically whenever legitimate users access the affected interface elements. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web UI components that handle user-generated content, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through normal user interactions with the system's interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple functional disruption to encompass serious security implications including potential credential theft and session hijacking. When executed, the stored JavaScript code can access and exfiltrate sensitive information from the user's browser session, including authentication tokens, session cookies, and potentially user credentials. This allows attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to the monitoring and management capabilities of the affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where these platforms are used for critical infrastructure monitoring, as it could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive operational data and potentially disrupt business continuity. The threat is amplified by the fact that the attack requires no special privileges or advanced techniques beyond crafting malicious input that bypasses basic validation mechanisms.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive input validation, output encoding, and the implementation of content security policies to prevent script execution in the web interface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as one of the most prevalent web application security vulnerabilities, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious user input patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of the web interfaces. Additionally, users should be trained to recognize potential indicators of cross-site scripting attacks and the importance of maintaining updated security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, particularly in enterprise monitoring systems where the compromise of user sessions can have significant operational and security implications.